Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for start-up and control of liquid salt energy storage combined cycle systems.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods store energy by liquefying a gas such as air, for example, and then recover the energy by regasifying the liquid and combusting or otherwise reacting the gas with a fuel to drive a heat engine. The process of liquefying the gas may be powered with electric power from the grid, for example, and the heat engine may be used to generate electricity. Hence, in effect these apparatus, systems, and methods may provide for storing electric power from the grid and then subsequently delivering it back to the grid.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for operation of hydrogen fueled electric power plants integrated with thermal energy storage. It is an object of this invention to reduce the cost of providing reliable electricity from variable renewable energy sources by storing excess renewable energy and using the stored renewable energy to reduce the quantity of fuel required, to reduce the cost of producing hydrogen fuel by electrolysis, and to produce and store hydrogen at the power plant to eliminate the cost of transporting hydrogen and the need to upgrade natural gas pipelines and pipeline compressors.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for storing energy in liquid air and releasing the energy through a thermal power cycle, that incorporates liquid carbon dioxide capture and separation from the exhaust stream.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for integration of renewable and conventional energy to enhance electric reliability and reduce fuel consumption and emissions via thermal energy storage.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for storing energy in liquid air and releasing the energy through a thermal power cycle, that incorporates liquid carbon dioxide capture and separation from the exhaust stream.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for start-up and control of liquid salt energy storage combined cycle systems.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods use cryogenic liquids such as, for example, liquefied natural gas and liquefied air or liquefied air components to store thermal energy. The cryogenic liquids may be produced using electrically powered liquefaction methods, for example, using excess electric power during periods of over-generation on the electric grid.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods store energy by liquefying a gas such as air, for example, and then recover the energy by regasifying the liquid and combusting or otherwise reacting the gas with a fuel to drive a heat engine. The process of liquefying the gas may be powered with electric power from the grid, for example, and the heat engine may be used to generate electricity. Hence, in effect these apparatus, systems, and methods may provide for storing electric power from the grid and then subsequently delivering it back to the grid.

Abstract: In a cryogenic combined cycle power plant electric power drives a cryogenic refrigerator to store energy by cooling air to a liquid state for storage within tanks, followed by subsequent release of the stored energy by first pressurizing the liquid air, then regasifying the liquid air and raising the temperature of the regasified air at least in part with heat exhausted from a combustion turbine, and then expanding the heated regasified air through a hot gas expander to generate power. The expanded regasified air exhausted from the expander may be used to cool and make denser the inlet air to the combustion turbine. The combustion turbine exhaust gases may be used to drive an organic Rankine bottoming cycle. An alternative source of heat such as thermal storage, for example, may be used in place of or in addition to the combustion turbine.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for integration of renewable and conventional energy to enhance electric reliability and reduce fuel consumption and emissions via thermal energy storage.

Abstract: A method of operating a thermal energy storage system comprises operating a pump to circulate a heat transfer fluid from cold storage through a heating system to hot storage, supplying electric power from an electric power grid external to the thermal energy storage system to power an electric heater in the heating system that heats the heat transfer fluid as it circulates through the heating system to hot storage, regulating a flow rate of the heat transfer fluid through the heating system so that the heat transfer fluid enters hot storage at a specified temperature, and regulating the supplying of electric power from the electric power grid to the electric heater to balance supply of and demand for power on the electric power grid and maintain a frequency, a voltage, or a frequency and a voltage of electric power on the electric power grid at specified values.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods store energy by liquefying a gas such as air, for example, and then recover the energy by regasifying the liquid and combusting or otherwise reacting the gas with a fuel to drive a heat engine. The process of liquefying the gas may be powered with electric power from the grid, for example, and the heat engine may be used to generate electricity. Hence, in effect these apparatus, systems, and methods may provide for storing electric power from the grid and then subsequently delivering it back to the grid.

Abstract: A dispatchable storage combined cycle power plant comprises a topping cycle that combusts fuel to generate electricity and produce hot exhaust gases, a steam power system, a heat source other than the topping cycle, and a thermal energy storage system. Heat from the heat source, from the thermal energy storage system, or from the heat source and the thermal energy storage system is used to generate steam in the steam power system. Heat from the topping cycle may be used in series with or in parallel with the thermal energy storage system and/or the heat source to generate the steam, and additionally to super heat the steam.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods use cryogenic liquids such as, for example, liquefied natural gas and liquefied air or liquefied air components to store thermal energy. The cryogenic liquids may be produced using electrically powered liquefaction methods, for example, using excess electric power during periods of over-generation on the electric grid.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods use cryogenic liquids such as, for example, liquefied natural gas and liquefied air or liquefied air components to store thermal energy. The cryogenic liquids may be produced using electrically powered liquefaction methods, for example, using excess electric power during periods of over-generation on the electric grid.

Abstract: In a cryogenic combined cycle power plant electric power drives a cryogenic refrigerator to store energy by cooling air to a liquid state for storage within tanks, followed by subsequent release of the stored energy by first pressurizing the liquid air, then regasifying the liquid air and raising the temperature of the regasified air at least in part with heat exhausted from a combustion turbine, and then expanding the heated regasified air through a hot gas expander to generate power. The expanded regasified air exhausted from the expander may be used to cool and make denser the inlet air to the combustion turbine. The combustion turbine exhaust gases may be used to drive an organic Rankine bottoming cycle. An alternative source of heat such as thermal storage, for example, may be used in place of or in addition to the combustion turbine.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods store energy by liquefying a gas such as air, for example, and then recover the energy by regasifying the liquid and combusting or otherwise reacting the gas with a fuel to drive a heat engine. The process of liquefying the gas may be powered with electric power from the grid, for example, and the heat engine may be used to generate electricity. Hence, in effect these apparatus, systems, and methods may provide for storing electric power from the grid and then subsequently delivering it back to the grid.

Abstract: A dispatchable storage combined cycle power plant comprises a topping cycle that combusts fuel to generate electricity and produce hot exhaust gases, a steam power system, a heat source other than the topping cycle, and a thermal energy storage system. Heat from the heat source, from the thermal energy storage system, or from the heat source and the thermal energy storage system is used to generate steam in the steam power system. Heat from the topping cycle may be used in series with or in parallel with the thermal energy storage system and/or the heat source to generate the steam, and additionally to super heat the steam.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods store energy by liquefying a gas such as air, for example, and then recover the energy by regasifying the liquid and combusting or otherwise reacting the gas with a fuel to drive a heat engine. The process of liquefying the gas may be powered with electric power from the grid, for example, and the heat engine may be used to generate electricity. Hence, in effect these apparatus, systems, and methods may provide for storing electric power from the grid and then subsequently delivering it back to the grid.